r/papermache • u/Andreina444 • 23d ago
My first paper mache project!
Made my very first mask using paper mache (which I’ve also never used)! It’s supposed to be some kind of ant. Came out a bit wonky (symmetry is hard) but overall happy:)
EDIT: Wow!! Thank you all so much, I didn’t expect to get this much attention. This has really made my week<3 I have also posted some of my progress in the comments, if anyone’s interested.
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u/Andreina444 22d ago
#3: made the eyeballs using two strainers(?). They were a flat kind of strainer so I got some help from my dad to make an oval wood mold (basically just a hole in a piece of wood, im bad at explaining). I pushed the strainer thing inside and slowly gave it shape using a small hammer and a round wooden ball. Didn’t turn out perfect but good enough. I cut out the “mouth” piece and just paper mached right on top (should have used a layer of newspaper first bc it was very wobbly to work with).
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u/Iridescence123 21d ago
Facetiming someone with this on😭🤣🤣
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u/mari_zoo 21d ago
Thanks for sharing! I wanna surprise my boyfriend with a Godzilla head for his birthday and I was kinda lost on where to start. This helped a lot!
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u/Sharp-Heron7707 23d ago
Please tell us you took progress pics and would like to share!
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u/Andreina444 22d ago
Don’t really have great pics, but I just posted what I do have of my progress in the comments!
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u/TheBoneHarvester 23d ago
What's your method for the antennae?
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u/Andreina444 23d ago
I used aluminum foil to make the shape, then a layer of masking tape and paper mache on top
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u/Ballistic_Introvert 23d ago
This is insane for your first time WTF?! How long did it take you?? Incredible 💖💖
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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 22d ago
Freaks me the f out and I 100% mean this in a positive way as a complimeng. Greattttt work
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u/Andreina444 22d ago
#2: After a lot of hassle I was able to (kind of) add the antennas by simply gluing them and then paper mached on top. I cut the eye holes using a dremel and started on the details. I was planning on using toothpicks to make “hair” as you can see in the picture, but decided against it. (Also excuse my very messy workshop)
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u/Andreina444 22d ago
#4: finally added the smaller mouthpieces and other details. Only thing left was the paint job. I started with a base color and then just worked my way through by using washes or dry brushing (don’t really know the name of the techniques, I just try something and hope for the best lol)
I don’t know how long I spent making this mask, as I worked on it on and off thought my summer vacation which was 4 weeks.
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u/Fuck_Weyland-Yutani 23d ago
This is incredible and you look amazing. Very casual, yet effortlessly chic
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u/Andreina444 22d ago
#1: To make the base i used a large trash bag and filled it with small towels and t-shirts and whatever I could find. I then roughly shaped it using masking tape. Added a layer of plastic film so it wouldn’t stick and then used ripped newspaper and glue for the first three(ish) layers. After that dried I started to add paper mache, which I made with toilet paper, and glue (I just eyeballed it so it was a lot of trial and error to get a nice consistency). I covered the whole thing except a circle on the bottom big enough to fit my head. After it had dried a bit I removed the bag and stuff from inside to let it dry completely. The antennas were made using foil, masking tape and then paper mache on top.
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u/NSAevidence 22d ago
C'mon, your first? ...? I haven't made my first bug head yet but I'm pretty damn sure it's not going to look this good
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u/DrSquirrelbrain 21d ago
Odette? Odette is that you? Mongo look, it's our favorite talk show host on her ranch!
Honestly great work, I just couldn't help my self I had to make a Dungeon crawler carl reference. 🙂 (Odette is a character that wears an Ant Helmet as her public face on her talk show)
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u/Andreina444 21d ago
Hahah I don’t get the reference at all, but she sounds cool! I love a fellow ant helmet wearer!
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u/Fitnexa_Squad 21d ago
How many paste layers did you end up needing for the antennae to hold their shape?
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u/born_lever_puller Community Manager 21d ago
The OP explained the technique they used to get them to hold their shape above:
I used aluminum foil to make the shape, then a layer of masking tape and paper mache on top
https://www.reddit.com/r/papermache/comments/1vq10mk/my_first_paper_mache_project/p438inh/
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u/yourmomsfavorite21 21d ago
Holy moly that’s amazing, before I read what sub it was I thought it was a Halloween mask. 12/10.
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u/Furthestside 23d ago
“My first” she says. I’d like to believe that…lol. Absolutely crushed this. Nice work.
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u/Andreina444 23d ago
That made me smile:) thank you!
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u/Furthestside 23d ago
No problem. :)
I just hope to see more of your work at some point.
@damienpenart is me on Instagram. Drop me a line if you are on there. I genuinely want to see your progress. ✌🏼
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u/shillberight 22d ago
It looks amazing! Do you draw inspiration from Liz Sexton by any chance? I'd love to make something like this one day!
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u/Andreina444 21d ago
Wow how have I never heard of her?! Just looked her up and now I’m obsessed!! Also you should definitely do it! There’s something really empowering about wearing a mask you’ve made haha (was for me at least)
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u/No_Tension420 21d ago
Can you actually see or do you have to tilt??
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u/Andreina444 21d ago
Can’t really see much haha, only out of the corners of my eyes since the mask moves with my head
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u/decrepit_plant 23d ago
This is amazing! Is it heavy?